Jolley column: Leesburg Lightning go big when it comes to promotions

When the Leesburg Lightning hosts a promotion, the front office often to goes to extremes to make it something to remember.

And they’ll never apologize or question if they went overboard.

It's the Lightning way.

Take Wednesday’s game against Winter Garden. At first glance, it seemed to be just another mid-week game at Pat Thomas Stadium-Buddy Lowe Field … part of the two-month grind that makes up the Florida Collegiate Summer League season.

However, as anyone walking into the ballpark on Wednesday quickly learned, it was anything but a routine game.

For starters, American flags were everywhere. “Old Glory” was flying from the fence surrounding the ballpark and fans were given miniature versions of the flag as they filed through the main entrance.

Behind the centerfield fence, as always, the stadium flag flew high above the ballpark and in the final hour before game time, the Leesburg fire department showed up with its hook-and-ladder truck and raised a gigantic, garrison flag — measuring 38-feet wide by 20-feet tall — over the scoreboard in right field.

The flag was, in fact, so large that Lightning coach Rich Billings questioned if it would be in play, especially when the wind kicked up.

“I love it out there,” said Billings, “but I’m worried that it could create problems on fly balls.”

There was even a suggestion — somewhat in jest — that a special ground rule could be created to address the flag interfering with a ball in play, similar to those used at Tropicana Field to cover issues with the catwalks that hold up the roof.

But, there was no need to be concerned. Lightning public address announcer Chuck Johnson had an easy solution.

“We’ll just ask them to raise (the flag) even higher,” said Johnson.

Welcome to Flag Day … Leesburg Lightning style.

It was the kind of show the Lightning put on better than anyone else, save for the military or other government entities ... an opportunity to exude patriotism while, as Johnson puts it, "playing America’s pastime in America’s ballpark in America’s hometown."

And it was always going to be a big deal. If there's a celebration to be had, the Lightning will never do it in a low-key manner.

For Lightning officials, Wednesday was an opportunity to whet the community's appetite with its annual Fourth of July game just around the corner.

On that day, an overflow crowd will turn out at the ballpark to the watch the Lightning play Winter Park. And after the game, fans will lay blankets out on the field and witness the city’s fireworks show over Lake Harris — a show that few local communities can match.

Both celebrations have become routine for the Lightning. They are part of a series of promotions put on by the team every year.

They're part of what makes the Leesburg Lightning unique and unlike any other franchise in the FCSL.

Wholesome, family fun.

Entertainment that is free of charge and devoid of alcohol.

“You come to a Lightning game and know you’ll get to see a ballgame and you’ll be surrounded by fans who are here because it’s a fun place to come and bring the family,” said John Meier, a member of the team’s board of directors since its founding. “And when we have promotions, it’s our way of adding something else to a night at the ballpark. We want it to be a big deal because the people and businesses that help us put on the promotional nights deserve that."

There can be no question that Lightning management has always known how to put on a show. Even before the team existed a group of local baseball fans — many of whom eventually became part of the Lightning’s front office — turned an exhibition game into a party to show FCSL officials what would happen if they gave the community a team.

They did and the Lightning have never disappointed.

Even on those nights when the team doesn’t win, there’s always something going on within the cozy confines of Pat Thomas Stadium-Buddy Lowe Field. It’ll be fun and memorable.